Head of Building Control

Joshua Robert Search; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Joshua Robert Search is seeking a hands-on Head of Building Control (Associate Director) to lead a Community Team delivering Building Control services across the West Midlands. The role combines supervision, technical review and sign-off to ensure work progresses efficiently while upholding high regulatory standards.

You will manage a team of about 10–11 Registered Building Inspectors, overseeing domestic, residential and small commercial projects.

Qualifications

• Registered Building Inspector status (Class 2 A–F or Class 3) with Class 4 (Technical Manager) registration.
• Experience in local authority and/or private practice Building Control.
• Strong leadership and people development.
• Commercial awareness including budgets and performance management.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

Responsibilities

• Lead, stabilise and motivate the Community Building Control team.
• Supervise, review and sign off building control work, with cases subject to internal audit.
• Deliver against local authority client service requirements and national standards.
• Lead recruitment activity to replace contractors with permanent staff and build a stable long-term team.
• Support and develop trainees joining the service.
• Shape the replacement of the organisation’s database and site notes system.
• Build effective relationships with local designers, contractors and regional authorities.
• Review policies and procedures with the Building Consultancy administration team.
• Deputise for the Director of Building Consultancy when required.
• Provide leadership cover for the Major Projects team.

Skills

Building Control leadership

Team management

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Job description

Job Role - Head of Building Control - Associate Director

Location - West Midlands

Salary - Competitive + Fantastic Benefits

Job Role - Permanent - Hybrid

An experienced Building Control leader is sought to head a Community Team delivering building control services across the West Midlands.

The organisation is a purpose-led, multi-disciplinary business providing services across the built environment, including design and construction, building control and facilities management. Its long-standing vision is to promote public wellbeing and sustainable development.

Its Building Consultancy division provides Building Control services on behalf of one of their major partnerships, while also working with major retail and commercial clients through its Registered Building Control Approver service.

The role You will lead a team of approximately 10–11 Registered Building Inspectors, overseeing domestic, residential and smaller commercial projects. This is a hands‑on leadership role focused on supervision, technical review and sign‑off, ensuring work progresses efficiently while maintaining high professional and regulatory standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead, stabilise and motivate the Community Building Control team.
• Build strong relationships with team members and bring people with you through change.
• Supervise, review and sign off building control work, with cases subject to internal audit.
• Deliver against local authority client service requirements and national operational standards.
• Work with the Director of Building Consultancy on annual budgets, fee-setting and monthly monitoring of income and performance.
• Lead recruitment activity, with a focus on replacing contractors with permanent employees and building a stable long‑term team.
• Support and develop trainees, including new LABC trainees joining the service.
• Help shape the replacement of the organisation’s database and site notes system.
• Build effective relationships with local designers, contractors and other regional authorities.
• Review policies and procedures alongside the Building Consultancy administration team.
• Deputise for the Director of Building Consultancy when required.
• Provide leadership cover for the Major Projects team.

About you We are looking for a hands‑on Building Control leader with genuine technical and professional credibility. You should have:

• Registered Building Inspector status at Class 2 A–F or Class 3, combined with Class 4 (Technical Manager) registration.
• Experience within local authority and/or private practice or approved inspector Building Control, ideally across both environments.
• Strong technical and professional credibility, with the confidence to supervise work and see cases through to completion.
• Proven experience leading, motivating and developing a team.
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of fees, budgets and performance management.
• The ambition to progress and help shape the future of a growing Building Control service.
• A genuine interest in developing people and building a permanent, high‑performing team.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

Why join? Leadership exposure. Lead the Community Team delivering Building Control services for a major local authority. You will contribute to annual budgets and fee‑setting recommendations, monitor income and performance, and gain regular exposure to senior management and the board when deputising for the Director.

The chance to build. The organisation is replacing its database and site notes system, giving you the opportunity to influence and shape new ways of working. You will also lead recruitment and help build a stable permanent team while supporting the next generation of Building Control professionals.

A supportive team. The Community Team is established and close‑knit, with experienced inspectors who understand the city’s diverse building stock and client base. The team values leaders who demonstrate strong technical and professional credibility.

Respected management. The Director of Building Consultancy has extensive experience across local authority and private sector Building Control, as well as professional‑body experience. You will work closely with them as part of the senior leadership team.

Purpose and variety. Community Building Control directly contributes to the safety and wellbeing of people across the city. There is a constant flow of domestic, residential and community projects, alongside exposure to significant regional schemes.

Stability and development. The organisation is wholly owned by its local authority, with any surplus returned to the community. You will help shape the future of the service, with potential longer‑term progression towards Director level as the organisation develops.

Flexible working. The role is typically office‑based one day per week, with the remainder worked from home. Flexible working is supported, and commitments outside work are recognised.